Naturally, I have a print copy of Daisy’s book to giveaway, but first, enjoy the interview!

An Interview with Daisy Luther

Tell me about your book, The Pantry Primer. What is it about?

The Pantry Primer is a book that is written with the beginner in mind. The idea of building a one year food supply is very daunting for people who are accustomed to having enough in the cupboards for two weeks or less. This is a guide to break the process down into easy, weekly steps and it also focuses on making the healthiest possible choices on a budget.

What type of research did you have to do while writing your book?

Actually the book is almost like a journal. My daughter and I moved last year from Central Ontario to the Pacific Northwest.

For several reasons, we were unable to bring our preps with us. First, there were many restrictions with Customs for bringing food into the country. Secondly, our belongings were in a metal trailer in the middle of summer, and the inside of that trailer reached well over 120 degrees Fahrenheit, so anything we brought would most likely have spoiled.

As we rebuilt our stockpile, starting from nothing, I wrote about the experience in the hopes that it would be a helpful guide to those just starting out.

How long did it take to write?

It took me 3 months to build my supply, during which time I tracked the journey on my website, The Organic Prepper. Then it took perhaps another month to compile the articles and information into a book format, edit it, and submit it for publication.

Every book, fiction and non-fiction, includes a message. What message do you hope my readers will take with them after reading The Pantry Primer?

I want to let people know that even when your budget is tight, you can still prepare for the future and do so in a healthful, budget-conscious fashion.

Can you tell us a little bit more about yourself?

I’m a single mama of two wonderful daughters. I work from home as a freelance writer. I have previously worked in the health and fitness industry, so I particularly enjoy tying together my interest in health and my interest in preparedness.

We find that a very simple lifestyle is very gratifying – it really helps you to slow down and enjoy those little things that lots of people overlook because they’re so busy looking at the bigger picture.

As an author in the survival, prepping and/or homesteading niche, what are you personally preparing for?

I can’t really narrow it down like that. I believe that if you have a preparedness mindset, it means you’re ready for whatever life throws at you. That could be a bad storm that leaves you stranded at home without power for a couple of weeks, a job loss, encroaching tyranny, a national economic collapse or something even more long term and devastating like an EMP-type disaster that takes down the grid permanently or war on American soil.

Do you have plans for another book?

Yes, definitely. My next book is being edited and illustrated right now, and will hopefully be out before summer. It is called The Organic Canner, and it’s a cookbook and canning guide, loaded with individual canned items as well as complete nutritious meals.

Is there anything else you would like to share with my readers?

No matter how small the amount of money you can allot to preparedness, every small amount of food you put back is insurance against the time when food might not be as readily available as it is today. There is no step too small – it all adds up, so just start.

The Book Giveaway

A copy of The Pantry Primer has been reserved for one lucky reader. Here is this week’s poll:

Which of the following food storage accessories have you used? (Indicate all that apply.)

A – Vacuum Sealer (such as a FoodSaver) or similar deviceB – Pressure CannerC – Mylar Bags with or without Oxygen AbsorbersD – Large BucketsE – Other (Describe)F – None of the Above

To enter the giveaway, you need to answer this question by responding in the comments area at the end of this article. The deadline is 6:00 PM Pacific next Thursday with the winner notified by email and announced in the Sunday Survival Buzz on June 8th. You will have 48 hours to claim the winning book.

Note: If you are reading this article in your email client, you must go to the Backdoor Survival website to enter this giveaway in the comments area at the bottom of the article.

The Final Word

Starting an emergency food pantry from ground zero and with limited funds is daunting. Add to that the desire to store only wholesome, nutritious and predominantly organic foods and, oh my, you have a challenge ahead of you.

Not to worry. In Daisy’s book, you will learn of some strategies you can use to build your pantry while keeping your budget and health concerns intact. She has done it herself and will show you that you can do it, too, in just three months!

Enjoy your next adventure through common sense and thoughtful preparation!Gaye

If you have not done so already, please be sure to like Facebook which is updated every time there is an awesome new article, news byte, or link to a free survival, prepping or homesteading book on Amazon. You can also follow Backdoor Survival on Twitter, Pinterest, and Google+ and purchase my book, The Prepper’s Guide to Food Storage from Amazon.

A one year food supply means freedom. It means that you are less subject to the whims of the economy. You can handle small disasters with aplomb. You aren’t reliant on the government if a crisis occurs. Being self-reliant begins with a pantry full of food.

Learn how to build a pantry on a budget with this easy 12-week outline. Don’t be discouraged by all of the doom and gloom out there. You can take the most important step towards security today…the step of getting started. In this book, learn about the different types of pantries, how to expand your pantry with home canning, and how to develop a well-balanced, nutritious stockpile to see your family through difficult times.

Bargain Bin: Today is all about books. Listed below are all of the books in the current Backdoor Survival Book Festival. There are both fiction and non-fiction titles and a bit of something for everyone.

If you covet an e-Book reader, consider the Kindle. Prices start at $119 although a basic kindle is only $69. And if not, at the very least pick up the free Kindle app so that you can read Kindle books on your PC or favorite electronic device.

Although I have plenty of flashlights and batteries (you might even say I have a flashlight fetish) I also stay stocked up with a dozen of these Clear Mist 100 Hour Plus Emergency Candles as well. For the best deal, purchase a dozen at a time to get a discounted price. Be sure to also check out the Clear Globe attachment.

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Need something from Amazon (and who doesn’t)? I earn a small commission from purchases made when you begin your Amazon shopping experience here. You still get great Amazon service and the price is the same, no matter what.

The Prepper’s Guide to Food Storage is a book about food: What to store, how to store it and best practices. It is a roadmap for showing ordinary citizens that long-term food storage is not something that will overwhelm or burden the family budget. It is based on my own tried and true experience as someone who has learned to live the preparedness lifestyle by approaching emergency preparedness and planning in a systematic, step-by-step manner.

Whether you simply want to prepare for natural disasters or whether you believe the world is headed toward a major food crisis, this book is for you. It covers basic tips and techniques you can use to stock your food storage pantry so that you can be assured that your family will have food to eat, no matter what.

I have used A. vacuum sealer. ammo, bulk rice or mash potatoe flakes, quaker oats.
I have used large prescription bottles to store rice (1 serving) spices and such as they free, keep dry and are handy.

I have used a vacuum sealer, large buckets with mylars bags and oxygen absorbers. All of which have been God sends. Though currently I am being taught by my wife to use a pressure canner which will really contribute to rounding out our food preps.

“Which of the following food storage accessories have you used?”
….. All of the above
A)Vacuum Sealer: I’m working on my 3rd one
B) Pressure Canner. I got into pressure canning 2 years ago with a 22 qt Miro, I picked up a 22 qt All American canner at a flea market for $20 and I also have a smaller German made ‘Fagor” pressure cooker ideal for cooking beans, stews, etc.
C.) Mylar Bags: I use them when they’re available to me
D.) Large Buckets: What would I do without them?
E.) Other: ‘Potting’ Meats, My Grandparents would layer meats, sausage, bacon in the bottom of a crock pot, then covering each layer well, the meat in it’s own fats. The fat keeps out air and oxygen and preserves the meat without refrigeration for up to a year. The Crock should be covered and maintained in a cool dry area. (What works well are those ceramic ‘canisters’ with a gasketed, cam lock lid that I find in thrift stores.

Thanks for the giveaways. I’m on my second vacuum sealer. I just bought a pressure cooker/canner but have not used it yet. I have all sizes of Mylar bags but have run out of oxygen absorbers and thanks to where my husband works I have plenty of food grade buckets with lids. Also a couple of dehydrators.

I have used a vacuum sealer, a pressure canner, and food grade buckets. I am currently waiting for some food grade buckets with mylar liners for some long term storage for white wheat. I can’t wait! Good luck, everyone!

I have used a Food Saver and a water bath canner…I own a pressure canner but haven’t tried it yet. I also have the mylar bags and buckets, but haven’t gotten oxygen absorbers yet, so I haven’t tried to use them. I am also dehydrating apples as we speak…I hope they turn out OK.

This page is so helpful….I struggle to get those I know to wake up and prepare for what is ahead….With limited income, it is hard to stock up but trying just the same….Thank you for this wonderful page and your loyalty to Americans…May God always be at your side and let you continue helping others…

A – Vacuum Sealer (mainly just to separate large packages of meat we buy and then freeze for regular use, haven’t really used it for prepping yet)
B – Pressure Canner
E – Water bath canning and Dehydrator

This book looks really good, I would love to win it, it would help out so much.

I have food grade 5 gallon buckets filled with wheat berries & various legumes in Mylar bags with 02 absorbers. I have a “All American Canner” in the garage that I have just been looking at every time I do laundry. I call it ” The Beast.” Sooner or later I will give it a try but I want someone there with me who knows canning to hold my hand while I do it.

I have used
A – Vacuum Sealer
B – Pressure Canner
C – Mylar Bags with and without Oxygen Absorbers
D – Large Buckets and gamma lids
E- water bath canner, steam juicer, Electric and hand grain mills and groat roller, dehydrator
I also have received training in Essential oil usage and now teach classes that I have added to my regular classes of the proper preparation of grains, nuts and seeds for optimal nutrition. When you store foods you need to know how to use them properly in your daily diet and know how to take care of medical emergencies and maintain over all general good health.

I have used a vacuum sealer, large buckets and looking to get a dehydrator this summer (hopefully my balcony garden goes well). With a limited income and being an urban renter canning is really not a good option for me (lack of space and moving often) I am also building a supply of canned and boxed goods from the local grocery stores.

I regularly use all of the food storage methods mentioned. I also store a wide range of canned foods purchased on sale at local grocery stores. I use these for everyday meals and have tried several different foods that have “expired” 2 years earlier…..so far no problems at all. I am beginning to really believe that these expiration dates are mostly meaningless. When TSHTF and food is scarce is anybody going to pay attention to them? I’d rather try them now while there is still medical help close by if needed.

I use a vacuum sealer and also find the attachment for jar lids very useful.
Bought a canner a few months ago and have started learning about pressure canning. Did a bit of water canning last year.
I have buckets but they aren’t a big item for a single prepper.
Have done some dehydrating in the past but wasn’t all that happy with the results.

I use A. Vacuum Sealer and E. Dehydrator. I just purchased a pressure canner and I plan to take canning classes this summer. I think it is important to use every method you can to be prepared. Your blogs have been so helpful to me. Thank you for your continued guidance and for caring about all of us.

I have used a pressure canner, and 5 gallon buckets to store gallon zip-loc bags of flour, rice, and sugar. I have purchased mylar bags and oxygen absorbers, but have not yet had a chance to use them. I have also purchased, but not yet used, a dehydrator, and a manual grain mill.

A. Vacuum sealer – use
B. Pressure Canner – Presto – have not used yet
C. Mylar bags – use all the time – had a group sealing session yesterday
D. Large buckets – use all the time
E. Other – PET bottles, dehydrator

I have used the Food Saver with and without the jar sealers. I have used the water bath canner, the pressure canner, and the dehydrator. I have used mylar bags with oxygen absorbers and large buckets with ad without gamma lids. I also have the wax to wax cheese but have not tried it yet.

I have used B,C,D, and E. E being a water bath canner. I love the pressure canner and store a number of dry items in mylar bags and food service grade buckets. I have not used a vaccum sealer as yet but it is very high on my “needs” list.

I have used both pressure and water bath canners, scrounged food grade buckets, vaccuum sealers (I don’t find them very convenient so only used it once); I have not used Mylar bags, but do prefer to use large glass jars for many things. My husband bought me a big dehydrator from Cabela’s for Christmas. I have not used it yet but look forward to doing so. I also am getting into fermented food storage and besides my stoneware crocks, use large food grade plastic fermenting buckets with air locks from a brewery supply for that. (We make LOTS of sauerkraut.) I also see nothing wrong in using large (new) wheeled garbage cans for storage so long as the food stored is additionally bagged in food grade storage bags and wee beasties can’t get at it.

I think the most important item one can have is an amazing garden. I started a large garden in which I included 4 types of dry beans. I can’t wait to see how well they grow. I plan on getting a pressure canner before the end of summer so I can preserve my harvest. I will be getting lots of canning jars as well as a food saver sealer. I would like to make a solar dehydrator this summer.

F-none of the above, But I am looking into all of the items. I have ordered my first dehydrator, and vacuum sealer with jar attachments. I am still confused on pressure canners, so still thinking them over.

Currently I’m at F. Eventually want to do A thru D. As a newbie I have a few canned goods, bottled water & a small 1st aid kit. Will continue to add so I will be prepared for whatever might come my way. Grateful for this site & so many others that I’m learning from online.

I use a vacuum sealer, pressure canner, mylar bag (zip-type) w/o oxygen absorber, large buckets, oxygen absorbers in jars and buckets, dehydrator, and water bath canning. I haven’t yet tried mylar bags that you have to heat seal, with or without the oxygen absorbers.

All the above, also, 2 liter bottles, mason jars, totes, ziplock bags to keep things dry, (matchs, lighters, fire starters), reusable shopping bags (the cloth like type), large metal trash can, with a tight fitting lid, luggage, you would not believe all the dry packing you can fit in a suitcase. Somethings are limitless in uses, as long as it keeps critters out, and foods safe.

A. Vacuum Sealer; B pressure caner ( just took out 7 pints BBQ’s beans ); D Large Buckets; E…Tupperware Jumbo and Econo canisters…great for just about everything; Odd jars for just about everything;Heavy weight freezer bags for many many uses in my BOB’s; Rubbermaid type tubs for storage of lots of things in those plastic bags;food dehydrator is in heavy year round use, as is the pressure caner. Canning and food storage for me is a year around activity, not limited to seasonal gardening use.

I just subscribed to your website newsletters from Backdoor Survival. I have genuinely enjoyed reading the articles. In the last week, I have used my vacuum sealer several times, a few times to reseal my oxygen absorbers. I have purchased a small pressure canner that I am looking forward to using. My husband hunts, and we want to preserve some meat. I have used a 5 gallon mylar bag, a 2000 cc oxygen absorber, and a large bucket with a gasket in the lid to preserve some regular white rice for long term storage. I also used a 2 gallon mylar bag and a 2 gallon bucket with a 300cc oxygen absorber to preserve some regular oatmeal for long term storage. I found the 2 gallon bags on Amazon and the 2 gallon buckets with gaskets at Walmart. Everything else I found at Emergency Essentials-they are great! Hope it’s not too late to enter the giveaway for the book! Thanks for your website!

I am new to food preservation and storage and found your site. I have only about a week supply of food and a few day’s worth of bottled water. I have not tried any of the accessories you listed. Thank you for the opportunity to participate in the giveaway.

Which of the following food storage accessories have you used? (Indicate all that apply.)

A – Vacuum Sealer (such as a FoodSaver) or similar device Absolutely, one of the best money saaving devices available
B – Pressure Canner – Yes, but not as much as I should. You can also pressure can meat.
C – Mylar Bags with or without Oxygen Absorbers NO
D – Large Buckets – Yes
E – Other (Describe)For short trerm storage I use a smoker

I have all of the above including a dehydrator (except a food saver) and use all of the above. I have some thing similar to a food saver. I would like to have one but am really saving for a HERC cooker. I have been
doing this stuff for a long time but there is always more to learn and people always come up with new things and new ways. I would love to have this book to see how this lady could do in three months what has taken me years to do!

A – Vacuum Sealer (such as a FoodSaver)WE use it all the time for freezing and also for dried foods from the dehydrator
B – Pressure Canner we have 2 and they are working hard not only in summer but in winter I can meats that were stored in the freezer till we could get them done. We raised our own pork this year. That meat will go into jars soon.
C – Mylar Bags with or without Oxygen Absorbers yes we have them but you must be careful with them as some foods like rice and noodles have sharp edges.

D – Large Buckets Love these as they hold a bunch and stack well. I even used a few to store things for the children in case they show up with crayons, coloring books, clay, chalk and of course decks of cards.
E – Other (Describe)We also purchased a treadle sewing machine. My husband cleaned it up and made it work, now I have to learn how to make it sew. We also gather clothes from people that throw them out after garage sales or they are moving and getting rid of lots of stuff. We wash them and repair what needs to be done and store them in totes.

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MEET GAYE

I'm Gaye, just an ordinary gal trying to make sense of our changing world. I am addicted to prepping, DIY projects, adult coloring books, and ballroom dancing. I live what I call a strategic life and believe you should too. Everyone needs to prepare for the worst and live for the best. Won't you join me?

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